29

After exploring the school, the group heads to a well-known traditional restaurant that Jaehyuk and Heyoung grew up eating at.

The wooden sign creaks gently in the breeze, and the front is decorated with flower pots and handwritten lunch specials.

Inside, the air smells of doenjang stew, grilled meat, and freshly steamed rice.

They're ushered into a private room with low tables and floor cushions. The owner recognizes Jaehyuk instantly and fusses over him and Heyoung like they're her own kids.

"Yah! Jaehyuk-ah! Still handsome. You brought the whole city with you, huh?" The Ahjumma in the restaurant said while hugging Jaehyuk tightly.

Jaehyuk laughed, "Something like that, Ahjumma."

Then the Ahjumma turned to Heyoung, "And you! All grown up, still not married yet?"

Heyoung just awkwardly laughed while glancing at Scoups, "Still working on it..."

Scoups clears his throat and bows politely. The ahjumma just squints at him suspiciously.

"You. You look like the type who breaks hearts." Ahjumma said.

Scoups bowed deeply, "Only hers, and just once — when I showed up late for dinner."

The table erupts with laughter, easing the awkward tension. Ayun settles beside Heyoung with Heechan in her lap, already asleep after the busy morning.

Food starts arriving — banchan lining the table like an art display, with hot bowls of kimchi jjigae, galbi, and japchae.

Hoshi sniffed the air, "Tell me why everything smells ten times better outside the city?"

"Because here it's made with guilt and love," Jeonghan replied.

"You better marry that guy, or he's getting stolen by this ahjumma," DK said as he pointed his chopsticks at Heyoung.

Heyoung blushes as the ahjumma doesn't deny it. Scoups just keeps eating with a quiet, amused grin.

Jaehyuk is busy explaining which dishes are homemade from the village's local produce.

Ayun finally speaks up between bites.

Ayun softly said to Heyoung, "Your hometown is really something else. I didn't expect to feel so... welcomed."

Heyoung smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "I think you needed this trip more than you knew."

Ayun replied, "Yeah. I think so too."

Just then, the door slides open and Heyoung and Jaehyuk's mom walks in — carrying a wrapped box of seasonal fruit and a beaming expression.

"Did I miss lunch? I brought dessert!" Mrs. Lee warmly asked.

Jaehyuk quickly stands up, "Omma! You didn't have to—!"

"Oh! The little family is here!" Mrs. Lee said as she spotted Ayun with Heechan.

Ayun freezes, Jaehyuk groans, and Heyoung covers her mouth to hide her laugh.

=====

After lunch, everyone takes a walk to digest the heavy meal. The narrow path leading from the restaurant winds through golden rice fields and green hills that stretch toward the horizon.

The late afternoon sun is warm, casting long shadows and painting the sky in soft orange hues. A breeze carries the sound of distant birdsong and rustling leaves.

SEVENTEEN are scattered along the path, some taking photos, others quietly chatting. Ayun walks with Heechan still in his carrier, gently rocking him as he sleeps.

Heyoung lags slightly behind with Scoups, walking in comfortable silence. Jaehyuk walks ahead, leading the group, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

"This looks straight out of a movie. I didn't think places like this still existed." Joshua said as he took a photo of the fields

Woozi nods, "No traffic. No noise. Just... peace."

"I think I could live here. Maybe raise chickens." Mingyu said while talking with a mouthful of dried persimmon from the market.

Seungkwan teased, "You? You'd last two days without a coffee shop."

Up ahead, Jaehyuk pauses at a small stone bridge over a creek and waves them over.

"Hey! This is where Heyoung and I used to catch tadpoles." Jaehyuk said.

DK peeked over the side, "Were you a wild child too, Heyoung?"

Heyoung walks up with Scoups beside her, "Nope. I was the one who cried when Jaehyuk threw them at me."

Jaehyuk shrugged and smirked, "It built character."

The group spreads out near the bridge — some crouch to dip their hands into the cool water, others sit on the stone ledge. Ayun settles down under a tree with Heechan, fanning herself with a paper fan she got from the market.

Scoups and Heyoung walk a bit farther down the path. They stop near a tree where faded initials — "JH + HY" — are carved into the bark. She touches them lightly.

"Jaehyuk did this when I was eight. He told me it meant we'd always have each other." Heyoung softly said.

"You still do." Scoups quietly said while looking at her.

She looks at him, eyes warm, but distant — like she's thinking of more than just the carving.

"You've been quiet all day. Even during lunch." Scoups gently asked.

Heyoung hesitates for a second, "It's nothing serious."

Scoups stops and turns to face her, "If it's bothering you, then it's serious enough for me."

A long pause. She looks down, kicking a small pebble.

"My brother told me something a few days ago... about someone like you. Someone I work with." Heyoung carefully said.

Scoups looked surprised, "...Oh."

"I don't want to make a big deal out of it. I trust you. And I'm not angry. It's just... stuck in my head, I guess." Heyoung quickly said.

Scoups softly replied, "Is it someone you're close to?"

Heyoung shakes her head, "No. We're... not even friends. But I have to work with her. And she keeps giving me extra work. I don't know if it's connected. But I feel like it is."

He steps closer, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Scoups firmly looked at her and said, "I only see you, Heyoung. You know that, right?"

Heyoung met his eyes, "I do. I just don't want this to come between us — or get messy with work."

Scoups softly smiled, "Then we face it together. Quietly. Carefully. But together."

She nods, visibly reassured. Just then, Heechan lets out a soft giggle under the tree, catching everyone's attention. Ayun waves at them.

=====

The sky has turned dusky blue, scattered with early stars. Warm string lights hang loosely across the backyard, illuminating the rustic table setup and glowing softly against the evening air. A grill sizzles in the background, and the sound of laughter fills the yard.

Jaehyuk is by the grill, wearing an apron and flipping meat with exaggerated flair. The SEVENTEEN members are lounging on picnic blankets and chairs, playing with Heechan, munching on snacks, or trying to steal a bite from the grill early.

Jaehyuk grins at Dino, who's sneaking a piece of meat, "Touch that again, and you're washing the dishes."

Dino said with a full mouth, "Worth it."

Heyoung is setting the side dishes with Ayun, both wearing matching headbands their mom gave them "just for fun."

Heechan, now wide awake and curious, is in a baby rocker beside them, entertained by Seungkwan's exaggerated peekaboo.

Scoups walks over to help Heyoung carry a tray, gently brushing her hand with his as he takes it from her.

"You okay now?" Scoups softly asked.

Heyoung nodded and quietly said, "Yeah. Thank you for listening earlier. For understanding."

Scoups smiled, "Always. I'm your teammate too, remember?"

They share a brief moment before they're interrupted by Woozi yelling across the yard.

"Can we eat now or are you all still making eyes at each other?" Woozi shouted.

Laughter erupts again. They all settle in on the picnic tables and blankets, plates filled with grilled meat, rice, kimchi, and homemade side dishes that Mrs. Lee had prepared. Mrs. Lee joins them a few minutes later, carrying a tray of fruit and soju.

"You better marry soon. I want to cook for my grandchildren too." Mrs. Lee teased her son, Jaehyuk.

Jaehyuk groans, "Omma..."

Mrs. Lee looks at Ayun and Heechan, still convinced, "Well, you already have practice."

Later in the evening, Mingyu brings out his guitar, and the group starts singing under the stars — familiar songs, silly remixes, and even an acoustic version of "Ready to Love" that gives everyone goosebumps.

Ayun hums softly, rocking Heechan to sleep in her lap. Heyoung rests her head on Scoups' shoulder, and Jaehyuk finally sits down, exhaling deeply and watching the people he cares about relax in his childhood backyard.